Latest Features

Nearly two decades after making their last and most influential record, 'Slaughter of the Soul,' Gothenburg’s melodic death metal progenitors At the Gates come back with a vengeance on 'At War with Reality.'

Outside of Saturday Night Live, no other current TV show can boast as many impressive musical guests as The Simpsons. And The Simpsons has the edge because its many musical appearances are actually meant to be funny. Scores of rock icons—including three Beatles, two Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica—have appeared on the show as eight-fingered, yellow-tinted versions of themselves.

From a guitarist's perspective, the 1970 Woodstock film, which documents the highs and lows of the August 1969 Woodstock Festival, has several highlights. There's Jimi Hendrix's immortal take on "The Star-Spangled Banner"; a lengthy, mind-blowing performance by newcomers Santana; and Pete Townshend's high-flying Gibson SG acrobatics with The Who, to name just a few.

Critics snubbed it upon its release in 1972, but Exile on Main St. has become one of rock’s greatest landmarks. Keith Richards recalls the making of the Rolling Stones' masterpiece and how the album’s new reissue project became a walk down memory lane.

When someone mentions “super group,” the last combination of artists you might think about would be Michael Sweet of Stryper and George Lynch of Lynch Mob, Shadow Train and Dokken. Yet these two masters of shred have joined forces for Only to Rise, the debut album from Sweet & Lynch that will be released January 27.

OK, so you have your headphones out. What do you want to listen to? Something beautiful? Something cool? Something you’ve never heard before? How about all three? The following are five tracks by some of your favorite bands worth putting under the microscope for reasons listed below. Enjoy!